The Northern California Business Aviation Association (NCBAA) will hold its 3rd Annual Aviation Career Discovery Day on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom at San José State University. Presented with SJSU’s Department of Aviation and Technology and Career Center, the day brings students together with Northern California aviation professionals for guest speakers, career workshops, a resource fair, lunch, networking, and mentoring.
A speaker and alumni mixer is planned for the evening before, Thursday, November 12.
Event Details
| What | 3rd Annual Aviation Career Discovery Day |
| When | Friday, November 13, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. PT |
| Where | SJSU Student Union Ballroom and Meeting Rooms 1–4, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192 |
| Organizer | Northern California Business Aviation Association, with SJSU’s Department of Aviation and Technology and Career Center |
| Evening before | Speaker and alumni mixer, Thursday, November 12 (registration required) |
| Cost for attendees | Listed as free on the Skyfarer event listing; confirm with NCBAA |
| Contact | board@norcalbaa.org |
What’s on the Agenda
- Guest speakers from Northern California aviation
- Hands-on career workshops
- A resource fair, where organizations share their missions, jobs, internships, and other opportunities
- Lunch and networking
- Mentoring from working professionals
NCBAA hasn’t posted named speakers or a detailed schedule yet. 2026 sponsors include ACI Jet, Global Jet Capital, Hallmark Aviation, and private jet designer Sarah Larranaga.
Why Business Aviation Is Worth a Look
Most students thinking about aviation picture the airlines. Business aviation, the world of corporate flight departments, charter operators, fractional providers, and FBOs, is a large part of the industry with its own career paths, and it’s well represented in the Bay Area.
The jobs go well beyond the cockpit:
| Career | What the work involves |
|---|---|
| Corporate or charter pilot | Flying business jets and turboprops for companies, charter operators, or fractional programs |
| Flight attendant | Cabin service and safety on business aircraft |
| Scheduler or dispatcher | Planning trips, crews, permits, and logistics |
| Maintenance technician | Inspecting and repairing business aircraft |
| FBO and line service | Fueling, ground handling, and customer service at the airport |
| Sales, finance, and management | Aircraft sales, financing, charter management, and operations |
| Design and completions | Aircraft interiors and cabin design |
For many of these, the hard part is knowing they exist. An event like this lets students meet the people doing them and ask how they got there.
How to Get the Most Out of It
If you’re a student going:
- Bring copies of your résumé. Include any certificates, ratings, flight hours, or aviation coursework.
- Research the organizations ahead of time. Once the resource fair list is posted, pick a few you want to talk to.
- Prepare a short introduction. Who you are, what you’re studying, and what kind of aviation work interests you.
- Ask about internships specifically. They’re often the most realistic first step into business aviation.
- Get contact information and follow up within a few days. A short thank-you email helps people remember you.
For Organizations: Resource Fair Tables
Companies and organizations can join the resource fair for $3,000. That includes a 6-foot display table, two guest passes to the event and the after-event social, and recognition in event marketing. Sponsorship questions go to the NCBAA committee at board@norcalbaa.org.
Find It on Skyfarer
The event is listed on Skyfarer’s Aviation Events, where you can find event details and contact the organizer. Full details and any updates are on NCBAA’s event page.
The Bottom Line
On Friday, November 13, NCBAA and San José State are hosting a full day of speakers, workshops, a resource fair, and mentoring for students interested in aviation careers, with a speaker and alumni mixer the night before. For students in Northern California, especially those who haven’t considered business aviation, it’s a chance to meet people across the industry in one room. Check NCBAA’s page for registration details before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is NCBAA’s Aviation Career Discovery Day? Friday, November 13, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom and Meeting Rooms 1–4 at San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, California. A speaker and alumni mixer takes place the evening before, on Thursday, November 12.
How much does it cost to attend? The Skyfarer event listing shows attendance as free. NCBAA’s event page doesn’t list attendee pricing, so confirm with the organizer at board@norcalbaa.org. Organizations can buy a resource fair table for $3,000.
Who is the event for? Students interested in aviation careers, along with the aviation professionals who come to speak, mentor, and recruit. It’s organized by the Northern California Business Aviation Association with San José State University’s Department of Aviation and Technology and Career Center.
What happens at the event? Guest speaker sessions, hands-on career workshops, a resource fair where organizations share jobs and internships, lunch and networking, and mentoring.
What careers are there in business aviation? Business aviation includes corporate and charter pilots, flight attendants, schedulers and dispatchers, maintenance technicians, FBO and line service staff, and roles in aircraft sales, finance, management, and interior design.
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